At least 12 children across Yemen have died in 2010 as a result of the accidental detonation of Explosive Remnants of War (ERWs). Almost 20 children have sustained serious injuries in such accidents. In the latest incidence, a teenage boy from the war-torn governorate of Sa’ada suffered serious injuries earlier this month when tampering with a landmine he found near his home in Saqayn district. He lost four fingers when the device exploded in his hands.

“It is an extremely tragic fact that so many children have fallen victim to landmines and other unexploded ordnance in Yemen this year. Despite the ceasefire agreement that was reached in the beginning of 2010, children continue to bear the brunt of the conflict. We have a clear obligation to protect their lives and welfare,” says Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Representative in Yemen.

Mines and other unexploded ordnances (UXOs) pose a serious threat to people living in the conflict-affected governorates of Yemen, particularly Sa’ada where 13 out of 15 districts are considered to be significantly contaminated during the six rounds of conflict between the government and Al-Houthi rebels between 2004 and 2010.

Children are particularly at risk of accidents involving mines and UXOs, as many mistake them for toys. Children tending to their herds in remote areas are also among the victims of this year’s landmine accidents.

Three children were killed in a landmine explosion near the Al-Mazraq IDP camps in the neighbouring governorate of Hajjah in March this year. They had found the mine in a scrap yard in a market area close to the camp.

Mine clearance is a crucial step towards permanent peace and development in the conflict-affected areas. It is also a condition for the return of the displaced population, 60 percent of whom are children. A mine action support plan has been developed by the Yemeni Mine Action Centre (YEMAC), in collaboration with UNICEF, UNDP and other humanitarian agencies. This plan includes mine clearance, victim assistance and mine risk education. However, these capacities are severely constrained by a lack of access to the affected areas.

“As children continue to be killed or maimed in landmine accidents, lack of access for humanitarian actors to the conflict-areas prevents these children and their families from receiving the support they need and deserve. We therefore call upon all parties to the conflict in Sa’ada to provide the necessary humanitarian space so the mine action support plan can be implemented immediately,” says Geert Cappelaere.